Prev
Incident
Corporal John Novabilski was shot and killed while working an overtime assignment at a liquor store in the 7200 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Highway. He was sitting in his patrol car at approximately 2:30 am when he was ambushed and shot 11 times in a completely unprovoked attack. The suspect then stole Corporal Novabilski's service weapon. The weapon was later used to murder FBI Special Agent William Christian in the same type of ambush-style attack on May 29, 1995. After shooting Agent Christian, the suspect shot himself with Corporal Novabiliski's gun when he was surrounded by responding agents. Corporal Novabilski had served with the Prince George's County Police Department for four years and had previously served with the Baltimore Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife, parents, and brother. He is buried at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Bowie, Prince George's County, Maryland.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqfrrh7g9pzjs911x9e9- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Corporal Novabilski gave the Prince George's County Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Palmer Park community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Novabilski.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Prince George's County Police Department has lost 30 officers; 19 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 195 officers killed feloniously in MD, 51.6% of the 378 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1995, 1 officer at Prince George's County Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 16 years on record. The heaviest was 1978, with 2.
In 1995, 2 officers in MD were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 104 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 1995, 96 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 58th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1995, 99 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 31. Of the 19 killed feloniously at Prince George's County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 25.5 and 37; the middle age was 31. John had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
John was 31. Of the 178 killed feloniously in MD whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43.8; the middle age was 35. John had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
John was 31. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 31. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 10.5% of these deaths at Prince George's County Police Department; February holds the most, 31.6%. Wednesdays: 21.1%.
April holds 7.7% of these deaths in MD; June holds the most, 11.8%. Wednesdays: 11.3%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 63.3% of all 30 deaths at Prince George's County Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 21.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.6% of all 378 deaths in MD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Prince George's County Police Department has 30 officers remembered here, John among them.
-
Edward Dennis Merson
Sep 1, 1937
-
Charles F. Caldwell
Jun 12, 1948
-
Alfred W. Steinat
May 2, 1963
-
Joseph Kelly Brown, Sr.
Feb 19, 1966
-
John William Leatherbury, Jr.
Mar 21, 1968
-
Robert E. Yeszerski
Nov 30, 1968
-
William W. Gullett, Jr.
Feb 16, 1969
-
Carroll D. Garrison
Feb 20, 1973
-
Albert Marshal Claggett, IV
Jun 26, 1978
-
James Brian Swart
Jun 26, 1978
-
Antonio Martinez Kelsey
Feb 2, 1980
-
Raymond Hubbard
Feb 8, 1982
-
Allan Dale Johnson
Dec 8, 1982
-
Carlton X. Fletcher
Jun 12, 1983
-
Richard J. Beavers
Nov 29, 1983
-
Mark Kevin Murphy
Sep 1, 1988
-
Harry Leroy Kinikin, Jr.
Jan 13, 1990
-
Ryan Christopher Johnson, Sr.
Apr 22, 1992
-
Roger Peck Fleming
Oct 27, 1992
-
John Louis Bagileo
Feb 28, 1994
-
John J. Novabilski
Apr 26, 1995
-
Kilonzo Musili Masembwa
Nov 10, 2000
-
Anthony Michael Walker
Nov 15, 2003
-
Steven Francis Gaughan
Jun 21, 2005
-
Richard Scott Findley
Jun 27, 2008
-
Thomas Paul Jensen
Mar 9, 2010
-
Adrian Antonio Morris
Aug 20, 2012
-
Brennan Roger Rabain
Mar 7, 2015
-
Jacai David Colson
Mar 13, 2016
-
Mujahid Abdul Mumin Ramzziddin
Feb 21, 2018
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
29 officers from Prince George's County Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
